bladderwort

bladderwort
/blad'euhr werrt', -wawrt'/, n.
any of various plants of the genus Utricularia, including aquatic, terrestrial, and epiphytic forms throughout the world.
[1805-15; BLADDER + WORT2]

* * *

Any of about 120 widespread species of terrestrial and aquatic carnivorous plants of the genus Utricularia (family Lentibulariaceae).

They are characterized by small hollow sacs (bladders) that actively capture and digest tiny animals that touch them, including insect larvae, aquatic worms, water fleas, and other small swimmers. Closely related to the bladderworts are the butterworts (Pinguicula), 35 species of land plants that capture insects by means of sticky glands on the leaf surfaces.

* * *

plant
 any plant of the genus Utricularia (family Lentibulariaceae of the flowering plant order Lamiales). The bladderwort genus contains 220 widely distributed species of land and water plants characterized by small hollow sacs that actively capture and digest tiny animals such as insect larvae, aquatic worms, water fleas, and other small swimmers.

      The bladderwort plant is usually a horizontal attached or floating stem bearing simple or divided leaves and having bisexual, bilaterally symmetrical (two-lipped) flowers with two sepals, five fused petals, two stamens, and a superior ovary (i.e., positioned above the attachment point of the other flower parts) composed of two ovule-bearing segments (carpels) and producing many seeds at maturity.

      The bladders, or traps, are hollow structures having an entrance closed by a flexible door or valve. The interior of the trap is maintained under a state of water tension (pressure lower than that of the surrounding water) by a physiological process that causes water to pass from the interior to the outside. This results in a flattening or incurving of the trap walls, but the door remains secure. When a small animal approaches and strikes certain bristles that project from the surface of the door, it suddenly releases, and a quick inflow of water sucks the prey inside, where it is digested. The door closes again within about 1/35 second. Within about 15 to 30 minutes the trap again is “set” by passing water to the exterior.

      Closely related to the bladderworts in the same family are the butterworts (Pinguicula), 45 species of land plants that capture insects by means of sticky glands on the leaf surfaces and digest them in specialized leaf margins that roll up on the prey, unrolling again after digesting it.

      The bladderwort family also contains the genus Genlisea (19 species). The family is of little economic importance except for its ornamental and novelty interest to plant growers.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • bladderwort — [blad′ərwʉrt΄] n. any of a large genus (Utricularia) of chiefly aquatic plants of the bladderwort family, having finely divided leaves with bladders on them that trap small insects and crustaceans adj. designating a family (Lentibulariaceae,… …   English World dictionary

  • Bladderwort — Blad der*wort , n. (Bot.) A genus ({Utricularia}) of aquatic or marshy plants, which usually bear numerous vesicles in the divisions of the leaves. These serve as traps for minute animals. See {Ascidium}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bladderwort — noun Date: circa 1815 any of a genus (Utricularia of the family Lentibulariaceae, the bladderwort family) of chiefly aquatic plants with leaves usually having insect trapping bladders …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • bladderwort family — noun carnivorous aquatic or bog plants: genera Utricularia, Pinguicula, and Genlisea • Syn: ↑Lentibulariaceae, ↑family Lentibulariaceae • Hypernyms: ↑plant family • Member Holo …   Useful english dictionary

  • bladderwort — noun Any of many aquatic carnivorous plants, of the genus Utricularia, that have open bladders that trap minute insects and crustaceans …   Wiktionary

  • bladderwort — [ bladəwə:t] noun an aquatic plant with small air filled bladders which keep the plant afloat and trap tiny animals to provide nutrients. [Genus Utricularia.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • bladderwort — blad•der•wort [[t]ˌblæd ərˌwɜrt, ˌwɔrt[/t]] n. pln any aquatic, terrestrial, or epiphytic plant of the genus Utricularia, having threadlike leaves bearing many small bladders • Etymology: 1805–15 …   From formal English to slang

  • bladderwort — /ˈblædəwɜt/ (say bladuhwert) noun any of various carnivorous herbs of the genera Utricularia and Polypompholyx, family Lentibulariaceae, which trap insects in small bladders …  

  • bladderwort — n. any insect consuming aquatic plant of the genus Utricularia, with leaves having small bladders for trapping insects …   Useful english dictionary

  • bladderwort family — blad′derwort fam ily n. pln a family, Lentibulariaceae, of mostly carnivorous aquatic plants that usu. have threadlike leaves with bladders or sticky leaves in a basal rosette …   From formal English to slang

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”